Page 34 of Sol Survivor

“That’s Grunt.I’m Trent.Welcome to theMula Pesada.”Toothpick-man raised his mug in a salute before sipping from it.His black hair flopped over one brow.

“Grunt, get me the surveillance of that alley, and strip it from all databanks.”Nikko’s barked order silenced the mess.

“On it.”The boy grabbed something out of the cupboard and left.

Nikko stared after Grunt until his footsteps faded.“Now, I see you both admiring our newest crewmember’s remarkable assets.You know the rules.”

Trent’s shoulders slumped.“No fucking our crew.”

“Good.If you think you can sneak into Vic’s quarters without me noticing, Dieter, you don’t know me as well as I thought you did.”Nikko’s words wiped off Dieter’s smirk.“Victoria Barnes is here to stay.”Nikko flicked his fingers, and as one, the crew abandoned him, leaving him alone with her.“Sit.”

She pursed her lips, pinning her shoulders back as tension coiled in the pit of her stomach.“I prefer to stand.”

“I won’t attack you, Vic.”He drew in a calm breath and slid onto the bench, resting his elbows on the table.“What you did in that alley, though impressive, was without provocation.”

“Was it?”She arched a brow.“Look at you, all muscle, towering over a weasel of a man.”She sat, mirrored his stance, and met his gaze, challenging him.

He didn’t back down, didn’t glance away.“I wasn’t hurting him.”

“I don’t tolerate bullies, and if you know who I was, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”

He grimaced.“No, I don’t know your history.I do know the debt owed.”

Well, he knew more than she did.What did Themba owe Ande that was worth this much?“Since we’re laying the cards on the table, I’m a fugitive.”She raised her fingers to study the fine lines marking the healing process post-implantation.“I ask nothing from you other than a haven.You’ve seen what I can do, so earning your respect isn’t something I give a farg about.I do need one thing.”

Nikko’s scowl softened when he ran an appraising gaze over her cleavage.She doubted he was aware he was checking her out.

“I’m a virgin.For years, I fought to keep my innocence, in defiance, but I need…physical contact.”She winced, not appreciating having to divulge this to a relative stranger.But, she had to have his permission to disembark, if he’d allow it.Then again, what did the state of her untried nethers mean to him?Nothing.She folded her arms across her chest.Keeping her mouth shut and solving this on her own might have been the better approach.It’s just that…after that kiss with Drafe, her body hummed with an addictive energy she was too intrigued about to ignore.

Nikko’s breath hitched as he jerked back.

“I’d like the opportunity to find someone dockside to relieve me of said innocence.Dieter was suggested, but since Captain mentioned the rule, I have no other options.”She frowned.Why didn’t Ande know about that rule?Not that she could reach out to him, take him to task for the bullshit he’d landed her in.Carne monitored all correspondence.They’d find her within days.

Nikko’s cheeks darkened.“Just like that?Can’t Tiny…um, remove it?”

Vic grimaced.“I don’t have my hymen anymore.”The rigorous exercise she was put through had robbed her of that.“I should at least experience fucking before I die hauling ice.”

He stared at her for a minute.“I can delay departure for a few hours.”

She chuckled, splaying her hands on the table.“I didn’t expect you to agree to help me.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose.“You’re part of my crew, my responsibility, and that includes your wellbeing.”

“I appreciate what having me on board is costing you.”She smiled.“If I’m delayed for whatever reason, theMula Pesadacan depart without me.I’ll hire a skiff or a hopper and find you.”

“Right.”He didn’t believe her.

“I’m a fugitive, Nikko, but not without means.”She pushed herself to her feet.“Now, all I need to do is find a specific man.Can anyone on board help with that?”

“Grunt’s our tech guru.”Nikko raised his face to the ceiling, summoning another smile from Vic.She had thought she was the only idiot to do that.“Computer, patch me through to Grunt.”

“Patch complete,” the computer intoned.

“Grunt, Vic needs your help.”Nikko jumped up to order a coffee.

“Shoot.”The boy chewed on something as he spoke.

Instead of staring at the ceiling, she watched Nikko while he sipped his black coffee.“Grunt, can you locate a man dockside, goes by Drafe?”

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